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July 3, 2013

In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok, that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters–wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds, all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago.

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history–because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt’s classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids–led by Matt–will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen’s lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.

** This title was provided to us by the author (K.A. Armstrong) for an honest review. We were in no way paid for our opinions **

I have been so excited to get reading Loki’s Wolves by authors M.A. Marr and K.L. Armstrong (a.k.a Melissa Marr and Kelly Armstrong!! *Insert the fangirling here*). Norse mythology, two awesome authors and a book about three kids trying to stop the end of the world? You had me at Norse mythology! Right from the opening chapter I was addicted and in love with Loki’s Wolves until the very last page.

Loki’s Wolves is the story of main characters Matt Thorsen and Laurie and Fen Brekke, three kids who are the descendants of Norse Gods. Matt being the descendant of Thor and Fen and Laurie are the descendants of Loki. When Matt discovers that he will be representing Thor in the coming battle leading up to Ragnarok (a.k.a. the End of the World) he finds himself on a quest to find the others who will be representing the Gods so that he can stop a plot that involves his death. This quest brings Matt, Fen and Laurie closer together as they encounter Valkyries, trolls and other creatures from Norse mythology.

What I really liked when it came to reading Loki’s Wolves was that finally, after so much waiting and reading Greek Mythology I finally got to read a novel about Norse Mythology. Why was I so excited? Have you not read up on any of this stuff? Even seen a Marvel movie *cough, Avengers/Thor, cough*? Sure that last one wasn’t exactly a great example to use but the point is that Norse Mythology is awesome. With this book being written by two of my favorite authors, I knew that they would pull it off awesomely and they totally did. This definitely gave me my Norse Mythos fix.

I don’t usually read middle grade novels but when I do I usually find that I enjoy them because the plots don’t revolve around romance and are more light than some of the heavier YA novels out there. Loki’s Wolves was fun to read. And I don’t mean fun like it made an awesome picture in my head (which it did) but the plot and writing style was fun. It wasn’t too serious and it wasn’t too light, it was a fun read that I got addicted to right from the first chapter. Despite that there are still a lot of serious scenes in Loki’s Wolves that give the novel a sense that the characters are in fact trying to prevent the end of the world.

The cast of characters in Loki’s Wolves was really awesome. I personally enjoyed reading chapters from Matt’s POV (point of view) more than the other characters just because he has the power of Thor… and that’s kinda awesome… but the two other main characters, Fen and Laurie, were equally awesome. Fen is chosen to be Loki and Laurie is his cousin who he is very protective of. They have a brother-sister relationship that I really adored. Laurie, being the only female main character, was one that I liked to read about. She was smart, witty and very willing to take action. While none of the characters encountered any romance I personally ship Matt and Laurie (Maurie? Latt? Maurie Borsen? All the possible ship names!).

I would recommend Loki’s Wolves to readers who are looking for a read that is non-stop when it comes to pacing that keeps you reading until the very last page and to readers who are looking for a new series to fall in love with. After that ending I know that I will be highly anticipating the next book in theBlackwell Pages.

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. All efforts to make her produce “normal” stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She’s the author of the NYT-bestselling “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series and “Darkest Powers” young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

Melissa grew up believing in faeries, ghosts, and various other creatures. After teaching college lit for a decade, she applied her fascination with folklore to writing. Wicked Lovely, the first novel, was simultaneously released in the US and UK by HarperCollins in 2007 (with translation rights also sold in twenty-seven countries). It debuted as a NY Times Bestseller. Critical responses both here and abroad have been positive. Ink Exchange, the second novel, released in late April 2008 in North America. Currently, Melissa lives in the DC area, writes full time, and still believes in faeries and ghosts.

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3 Comments

Great review. I’m really glad that you’re reviewing a middle grade book. I got an ARC of this for an interview with Kelley Armstrong and really enjoyed it too. I loved Laurie as a main character as well as Matt and Fen.Can’t wait for book 2 in the series.Natalie Aguirre recently posted..FREEDOM TO READ GIVEAWAY HOP REMINDER

I loved this book too and for many of the same reasons you did. I was counting down the days until it pubbed and I pre-ordered. Now we need the next! That ending, oh my gosh. Eep.Bea @Bea’s Book Nook recently posted..Live Chat with Bella Andre! July 10th at 3:30 PM

Norse Mythology is awesome! My boyfriend bought a book on it a few years ago and that’s how I got into it. So I’m really happy there are more books coming out with it. I’m really happy you enjoyed it!Michelle @ In Libris Veritas recently posted..Harry Potter Readalong Week #14